Blue Robotics, a California-based marine technology company, is taking a hands-on approach to the rapidly growing blue economy.
For over a decade, the company has built affordable marine robotics, including thrusters, ROVs, and USVs.
Today, Blue Robotics is expanding its reach to open the door for more humans to participate in ocean-focused industries, with emphasis on community, education, and workforce development.
Blue Robotics is lowering the barrier to entry in two major sectors of the blue economy: aquaculture and ocean education. The company’s initiatives bring marine technology to students, educators, small businesses, coastal communities, and ocean professionals, empowering them to explore and innovate.
The company’s education initiative, BlueSTEAM Ahead, works directly with teachers to integrate marine technology into classrooms and field programs. Rather than relying on generic lesson plans, the initiative collaborates with educators to build real-world, place-based curricula that put marine robotics into students’ hands and connect learning to local waterways and ecosystems.
In aquaculture, Blue Robotics’ Grow Line initiative partners with both industry leaders and academic institutions to demonstrate how marine robotics can enhance productivity, monitoring, and sustainability on aqua farms. The company is already working with operators such as Ocean Rainforest, exploring how its vehicles and sensors can serve as efficient, scalable farm tools. At the same time, Blue Robotics collaborates with colleges, including North Island College, Santa Monica College, the University of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island Sea Grant, to create guides, training programs, and workforce-ready curricula that prepare students for technology-driven aquaculture careers.
As the blue economy grows, the need for open, affordable, and modifiable tools is increasing. The future depends on connecting to diverse communities, cutting costs, and making knowledge and training accessible to everyone, not just large institutions or well-resourced organizations.
Ultimately, Blue Robotics envisions a blue economy strengthened not only by innovation but by inclusivity: one where diverse thinkers, users, and communities shape the future of ocean technology. Through collaboration, open resources, and community-based initiatives, Blue Robotics is working to make that vision a reality.
***
Jessica Eason focuses on blue economy strategy and engagement at Blue Robotics.
Image: Students from Foothill Technology High School in Ventura, California, during the first Blue Robotics Blue Tech Academy; an applied marine technology hands-on educational experience.
